Big Picture TV › Video › What is ecoliteracy?

What is ecoliteracy?

A photo of David Orr

David Orr

Professor, Environmental Expert

  • Downloads

  • Downloads disabled
  • Downloads disabled

In order to view the videos online at Big Picture TV, you need to install the Macromedia Flash Player 8 (or later) and have Javascript enabled in your browser.

Get Flash Player from macromedia

About the video: ‘What is ecoliteracy?’

Professor Orr describes eco-literacy as being the capacity to understand nature’s systems. He explains why it is important to foster greater eco-literacy, especially amongst young people. He discusses progress made in design that brings nature into the urban environment, schools and into the workplace. He points to the work of architects such as Bill McDonough and Sim Van der Ryn to illustrate advances made in green architecture and design. He suggests ways in which educational curricula could be reoriented towards stronger ecological literacy. See also: Bill McDonough, Sim Van der Ryn

Total views: 2,920

Filmed: London, England on 4 June 2005

Credits: Interviewer - Marcus Morrell Camera and Editor - Marcus Morrell

Copyright © 2005 Big Picture TV

About David Orr

David Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and Special Assistant to the President of Oberlin College and a James Marsh Professor at the University of Vermont.
An award-winning scholar, he is renowned for his pioneering work on environmental literacy in higher education and ecological design.
Professor Orr is the author of ‘Ecological Literacy’ (1992), ‘The Nature of Design’ (2004) ‘The Last Refuge: Patriotism, Politics and the Environment in the Age of Terror’ (2004) and “Design on the Edge: The Making of a High Performance Building” (2006).
He is the recipient of a Bioneers Award (2003), a National Conservation Achievement Award by the National Wildlife Federation, a Lyndhurst Prize awarded by the Lyndhurst Foundation “to recognize the educational, cultural, and charitable activities of particular individuals of exceptional talent, character, and moral vision.” He was named “an Environmental Hero for 2004” by Interiors & Sources Magazine.

Other videos with David Orr

David Orr

Why is advertising so powerful?

Professor Orr takes a critical look at the culture of mass advertising. He describes the pioneering work of advertising guru Edward Bernays, nephew of psychologist Sigmund Freud.…

Recorded: 13 May 2006

David Orr

What should be the role of nature in education?

Professor Orr questions the role of education, suggesting that educational institutions should become more integrated with the natural world. Schools can be didactic models of sustainable…

Recorded: 13 May 2006

David Orr

Why is a love of nature important?

Biophilia is a term coined by author and Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson meaning ‘a love of nature’. Orr maintains, however, that a biophobic disorder has permeated…

Recorded: 13 May 2006

David Orr

What are the benefits of an ecological education?

Professor Orr talks about the positive influence eco-literacy programmes have on employment sought by former students. He believes that our era will be seen by future generations…

Recorded: 4 June 2005

Related videos

Satish Kumar

What are the principles of deep ecology?

Satish Kumar explains the difference between ‘shallow ecology’ and ‘deep ecology’ – terms first coined by the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. Drawing…

Recorded: 28 May 2004

Janine Benyus

What is biomimicry?

Janine Benyus describes how biomimicry works, pointing to its origins in early human history. She explains how and why western industrial nations are only now rediscovering the…

Recorded: 16 October 2005

Janine Benyus

What can designers learn from the natural world? (part 1)

Janine Benyus gives examples of how designers have used biomimicry to create more environmentally benign products. The German paint manufacturer, Sto, studied the surface of a Lotus…

Recorded: 16 October 2005

Janine Benyus

What can designers learn from the natural world? (part 2)

Janine Benyus looks at how biomimicry has enabled engineers to develop innovative, resource-efficient materials. In stark contrast to the typical “heat, beat and treat”…

Recorded: 16 October 2005

Ervin Laszlo

Can individuals make a difference?

Professor Laszlo talks about his book “You Can Change the World” – published by Positive News. He talks about how a more peaceful and sustainable world is possible…

Recorded: 22 August 2003

Don Beck

How do we change political ideologies?

Widely recognized as one of the chief architects of South Africa’s post-apartheid democracy, Dr. Don Beck talks about how nations transition through different political ideologies.…

Recorded: 19 May 2004

Forgotten password?

or Register